13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 1Cor. 10:13-14 KJV

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 1Cor. 10:13-14 ESV


Sin is placing yourself before God. It is becoming god to yourself. This, as the First Commandment shows, is becoming an idol to yourself--another god. When you sin, you are demonstrating that you feel that you are more important that God, and that you deserve worship and obedience before He does.

Self-centred gratification is sin.

Paul in the above quoted text first assures us that we are not alone in our tendency to sin("that is not common to man"), that God, whatever we may be, is always faithful, and especially, merciful and gracious. Then he assures us that God knows our weakness and will always provide an escape route for us in times of temptation. Therefore, flee idolatry. It is allowing ourselves to set up little "extra" gods before God (or in addition to Him) that gets us into trouble with temptation. Temptation and giving in to it is serving other gods--whaever they may be--lust, greed, or one of the other "Seven Deadly Sins". Serving them once is often too much. (See Eve in the garden.)